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Neurological Rehabilitation

What is neurological rehabilitation?

Neurological rehabilitation is a doctor-supervised program designed for people with diseases, trauma, or disorders of the nervous system. Neurological rehabilitation can often improve function, reduce symptoms, and improve the well-being of the patient.

What conditions can benefit from neurological rehabilitation?

Injuries, infections, degenerative diseases, structural defects, tumors, and disorders in the circulatory system can impair the nervous system. Some of the conditions that may benefit from neurological rehabilitation may include, but are not limited to, the following:

The neurological rehabilitation team

Neurological rehabilitation programs can be conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis. Many skilled professionals are part of the neurological rehabilitation team, including any or all of the following:

Neurologist/neurosurgeon

Orthopedist/orthopedic surgeon

Physiatrist

Internist

Other specialty doctors

Rehabilitation specialists

Registered dietitian

Physical therapist

Occupational therapist

Speech/language therapist

Social worker

Psychologist/psychiatrist

Recreational therapist

Case manager

Audiologist

Chaplain

Vocational counselor

The neurological rehabilitation program

A neurological rehabilitation program is designed to meet the needs of the individual patient, depending on the specific problem or disease. Active involvement of the patient and family is vital to the success of the program.

The goal of neurological rehabilitation is to help the patient return to the highest level of function and independence possible, while improving the overall quality of life — physically, emotionally, and socially.

In order to help reach these goals, neurological rehabilitation programs may include the following:

Assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, handwriting, cooking, and basic housekeeping

Speech therapy to help patients with speaking, reading, writing, or swallowing